ACM:2008: Orbcomm Satellite Malaysia launched the Orbisat 100, its latest dual-mode, machine-to-machine (M2M) telematics transmitter and receiver for vehicle tracking and telemetry applications at the ACM:2008 ASEAN ICT Expo in Kuala Lumpur from 28 to 30 October.

It’s both a GPS 12 channel receiver and communicates using GPRS data over quad-band GSM networks and comes with two SIM card slots to help reduce roaming charges, when outside Malaysia.

“We’re targeting it for use in automatic vehicle location systems normally used by transport and freight forwarding companies and the Orbisat 100 is an add-on device which works seamlessly over GSM networks and Orbcomm’s satellite system in areas where there’s no terrestrial coverage,” said Orbcomm Malaysia chief operating officer Anuar Osman.

Its major customers are Komatsu and Hitachi which prefit it in the factory to their earthmoving excavators to record their performance and monitor their number of running hours, engine oil temperature and when they are due for preventive maintenance.

The Orbcomm DS100 satellite transceiver module designed by Stellar and Delphi Electronics and Safety is incorporate into the Orbisat 100. It specifically targeted at M2M communications over Orbcomm’s satellite network for applications which require reliable and low-cost data communications from anywhere on Earth, including in the most remote locations.
 
Orbcomm, Inc in the United States had recently launched a constellation of six new low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites which offer an automatic identification system for ships and these satellites can pick up and pass the data to government bodies or coast guard units during emergencies or distress.

From 2010, it will launch an additional 18 satellites to complete Orbcomm’s constellation of 50.

Orbcomm is a wireless telecommunications company which provides narrow band two-way digital messaging, data communications, and geo-positioning services globally.

Its satellites are relatively small in size, weigh less 92 pounds (41.8 kg) and measure only 41 inches in diameter and are 6.5 inches high before deployment and are 170 inches long x 88 inches high with antenna and solar array deployed.
Their relatively small size is made possible because that they do not require a propulsion system to main them in the appropriate orbit and hence have significantly lower power requirements compared to geostationary satellites.

Each satellite is equipped with a VHF and Ultra High Frequency, or UHF, communication payload capable of operation in the 137.0-150.05 MHz and the 400.075-400.125 MHz bands.

The use of the system uplink (Earth-to-space) spectrum is managed by an on-board computer which employs Orbcomm’s Dynamic Channel Activity Assignment System (DCAAS), which continuously scans the authorised spectrum, identifies frequencies in use by other users of the frequency band and assigns subscriber communication uplink channels to minimise interference.

DCAAS changes the uplink frequency at least every 15 seconds, which allows its system to coexist with current users of the VHF band, and limits interference to acceptable levels.

The gateway earth stations and the subscriber communicators communicate with the satellites in the same VHF band, thus eliminating the design complexity, as well as the associated bulk, power and cost of supporting multiple communication equipment on a single satellite.

The satellites also contain packet-routing communications capability, including a limited store-and-forward capability.

The satellites have a vertical disk-shaped body with nadir-oriented quad helix antennas and a single-axis, dual panel solar array deployed normal to body.

They have a central flight computer for data and command storage.